Dear Islamic brothers, without a doubt, the pure lives of our pious predecessors are a beacon of light for us. It is as though the words of ingratitude were not even in their vocabularies as they were the true appreciators of blessings. They were never heedless of remembering and expressing gratitude for the blessings of Allah Almighty. Their manner of gratitude was so beautiful that when they ate, wore clothes, or performed any act, they would mention the blessings of Allah Almighty. At times, their nights would be expended enumerating the bounties of Allah Almighty such that this would continue into the morning.

Let us observe the manner of gratitude of some pious predecessors by way of encouragement and develop a habit of showing gratitude for the blessings of Allah Almighty.   

Reason for calling Sayyiduna Nuh عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام عبداً شکورًا ‘a grateful bondsman’

Sayyiduna Sa’d ibn Mas’ud al-Thaqafi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states that Sayyiduna Nuh عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was called عَبْدًاشَکُوْرًا ‘a grateful bondsman’ in the noble Qur’an, because whenever he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would wear new clothes or eat, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام would express gratitude to Allah Almighty.^[1]

Sayyiduna ibn Nabatah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه mentions that when Sayyiduna Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Ali al-Murtada کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡمwould go to answer the call of nature, he would say, بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الْحَافِظِ الْمُؤَدِّیْi.e. “In the name of Allah Almighty, the Protector, the One that brings things to their completion.” Afterwards, he would place his hand on his stomach, saying, یَا لَہَا مِنْ نِّعْمَـۃٍ لَوْ